Gynecology at Mary Washington Healthcare

Advanced Gynecological Care

Mary Washington Healthcare is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of women throughout our community. Our hospitals serve the OB/GYN needs of our patients in all of their life stages.

Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery at Stafford Hospital

Every year, Stafford Hospital surgeons perform hundreds of minimally-invasive gynecological surgeries to treat a range of conditions, including:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Ovarian cysts and masses
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Stress urinary incontinence
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic pain
• Infertility (due to detached fallopian tubes)

Patients with these conditions may undergo a laparoscopic surgery, which requires much smaller incisions than traditional surgery. Stafford Hospital offers the following laparoscopic procedures:

• Hysterectomy
• Tubal ligation
• Tubal reversal
• Ovarian cyst removal

Performing these procedures using minimally-invasive approaches offers several benefits over traditional surgery. These can include:

• Less pain after surgery
• Minimal scarring
• Shorter recovery time
• Lower risk of infection

Some patients who undergo a laparoscopic procedure can return home the same day. This depends upon a consultation with the surgeon and post-surgery evaluation.

Nationally Recognized for Quality and Safety

As part of our commitment to exceptional gynecological care, Stafford Hospital is one of only five Virginia hospitals certified as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG) by the Surgical Review Corporation.

Programs that earn this designation must:

• Adhere to the highest standards of excellence when performing minimally-invasive gynecological surgeries
• Work continuously to improve patient safety
• Verify compliance with a rigorous site inspection
• Meet stringent requirements related to number of procedures performed annually, equipment and instruments, patient education, quality assessment, and more

Under the direction of Kurian Thott, MD, Stafford Hospital’s gynecological surgery program first earned COEMIG designation in 2014 and was recertified in 2017 and 2020. More information about the Surgical Review Corporation’s accreditation programs are available here.

Convenient Care in a Healing Environment

The comfort and safety of our patients is our top priority at Stafford Hospital. Patients who are receiving gynecologic care here can expect a quiet, clean, and soothing environment that is conducive to healing. No matter the procedure, our patients enjoy a personalized experience in a convenient and private setting.

To find a COEMIG-certified physician, call MWHC Health Link at 540.741.1404.

Treating Gynecological Cancer

Women with uterine and other gynecologic cancers can now undergo complex surgical procedures close to home. Local OB/GYN physicians have partnered with Mid-Atlantic Pelvic Surgery Associates, expert gynecologic oncologists who are now on staff at Mary Washington Hospital.

Cancers that occur in different areas of the pelvis, such as cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancers are defined as gynecologic cancers. These types of cancer can spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. According to the CDC, 71,000 women are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer each year in the United States. Gynecologic cancers have several possible treatments, including hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The most common treatment is the surgical removal of the uterus, known as a hysterectomy.

Minimally-invasive GYN surgery can also be used for:

• Suspicious masses – Most masses near or on the ovaries can be removed with a minimally-invasive approach. Once removed, our pathology team evaluates the mass under a microscope to determine if it is a cancer.
• Challenging hysterectomies – We can now offer minimally-invasive approaches to patients whose medical conditions or previous surgical history would have required a more invasive procedure.

Advances in equipment and techniques now allow hysterectomies to be performed with tiny abdominal incisions through which the surgeon works with the aid of miniature cameras with microscopes, tiny fiber-optic flashlights, high-definition monitors, and specialized precision tools.

Highly advanced, minimally-invasive surgery is often a viable option for women with gynecologic cancers and other challenging conditions. It results in shorter hospital stays, with dramatic decreases in postoperative discomfort and scarring. Our surgeon will work directly with you and your OB/GYN to determine if this type of procedure is the safest, most appropriate surgical treatment for your condition.

These surgeons work collaboratively with Mary Washington Healthcare credentialed medical and radiation oncologists, as well as OB/GYN physicians to determine the most appropriate plan of care.

MWHC Cancer Nurse Navigators

The MWHC Cancer Nurse Navigator Program is available to help you with determining your next steps if you have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Call one of our Cancer Navigators at 540.741.1769 to discuss the minimally-invasive surgical treatment options available at Mary Washington and Stafford Hospitals.